Natalie curled her fingers and her nails dug into her palms. “She’s had some cramping and some spotting.”

“Hell.”

“It doesn’t mean she’s losing the baby.” She said it as much to reassure herself as Milt. “You should go home to be with the girls.”

“I can’t, Nat. Not yet anyway…I’ve had a few drinks.”

On the departures sign above her a word began to flash beside her flight number. Cancelled. Natalie pressed her fingers to her lips and closed her eyes.

Laura hated hospitals at night, with their wide echoing corridors and darkened rooms, or those with a dim light on and hushed voices, staff who walked on silent feet and suddenly appeared, like the woman who’d just come out the door Kate had been taken through. Helen was her name. Laura didn’t know her but Bree seemed to think she was a midwife. The only available doctor had been called to the nursing home and Laura hoped Helen knew what she was doing when she’d wheeled Kate away.

Now Laura gripped Bree’s arm and they both rose to their feet as Helen approached. She was about their mum’s age, wore a thick blue cardigan over her uniform and looked like she hadn’t slept in a week.

“Your sister and baby are okay.”

Laura let out the breath she’d been holding.

“The baby’s heartbeat is strong but I’ve had a quick chat with Dr Strauss and she wants her to have an ultrasound.”

“Can she have it here?” Bree eased her arm from Laura’s grip.

“I’m afraid not. Your best bet is the Women’s and Children’s in Adelaide.”

“Adelaide!” Bree’s surprise echoed Laura’s.

“It’s the weekend. We don’t have the staff or the equipment here.”

The large clock on the wall behind Helen ticked over to midnight.

“Okay.” Bree glanced at Laura then back to Helen. “How soon does she need to have it?”

“Doctor wants her to spend the night here. Can you take her tomorrow?”

“I can be here first thing.”

“Excellent. I can let them know you’re coming.”

“Can we see her?” Laura asked.

“Of course, but don’t stay long. She needs sleep and so do you if you’re going to drive her in the morning.” Helen’s face lifted in a kind smile. Behind her a buzzer rang. She sighed and set off down the corridor and disappeared into the room where a red light glowed. The cavernous corridor fell silent. Laura shivered and reached for Bree’s hand.

Bree frowned at her but continued to hold her hand. “Let’s say good night to Kate.”

Natalie had just settled in her hotel room near the airport when her phone began to ring again. She snatched it up from the bedside table, took a breath when she saw Laura’s photo and pressed the green accept button.